JAMMU, Mar 16: Two day National Seminar on “Changing Dynamics of India’s Foreign Policy” organised by the Department of Political Science, University of Jammu here today.

Professor Madhu Bhalla, Department of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi and Editor, India Quarterly delivered the keynote address.

While delivering the keynote address, Professor Bhalla figured out the Changing Dynamics of India’s Foreign Policy in the light of constantly changing domestic and external environment. She articulated that the contemporary global environment has become more complex as the world has become economically more interdependent and politically decentralization has increased.

Speaker also discussed the rise of emerging powers like India, China, Brazil and South Africa at global level due to their increasing role in securing the global commons ranging from change in international political economy, security of sea lanes of communications, arresting the climate change and making world multi-polar. She argued that the contemporary world begins to look different as the different regions are increasingly at the centre of this transformation that has led to the emergence of regional powers with global power ambitions with their increasing stakes in the new world order.

While explaining the matrix of Great Power Status, Professor Bhalla stated that India is a rising power that has the status of middle power at the moment.

In her speech, she figured out India’s stakes in the SAARC, ASEAN, SCO, WTO and BRICS. She further articulated that India aspires to play a leading role in the Indo-Pacific region and Asia at large. She concluded by arguing that India has moved away from Nehruvian foreign policy postures and is celebrating what it considers as the Nehruvian antithesis, however the ideational framework of the past will continue to have a hold on policy.

Professor RD Sharma, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, Jammu presided over the inaugural function of the National Seminar.

While delivering presidential address, Professor Sharma articulated how the economic and security policies of India are connected with its foreign policy. He highlighted India’s initiative to construct MacMohan Road across Arunchal Pradesh to improve the security of the India China border in that area.

He further stressed upon the role of economic strength and technology for the augmentation the security infrastructure. Professor Sharma argued that the present NDA dispensation has been continuing and accelerating the process of economic liberalization to improve India’s economic strength to improve national security scenario. He concluded with the argument that contemporary India has been engaging China in economic domain in spite of having security issues with the country.

Professor Sharma further stated that at present India is engaging every country independently sideling its bilateral relation with any another country as a variable.

Professor Baljit Singh, Convener of National Seminar introduced the theme of the seminar to the audience and the delegates. While introducing the theme, Professor Singh highlighted macro and micro changes which have been taking place in India’ Foreign Policy during the last 27 years ranging from climate change to international political economy and its preeminent presence in the Indian Ocean.

At the outset of the inaugural session Professor M Tajuddin, Head Department of Political Science welcomed the Chief Guest Professor RD Sharma, Vice Chancellor, keynote speaker Professor Madhu Bhalla, the distinguished delegates who have come from different universities of India to participate in the proceedings of the two day national seminar. At the end of the session Ms. Ellora Puri, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Jammu proposed the vote of thanks on behalf of the Department.

Professor Kuldip Singh from GNDU, Amritsar, Professor Karori Singh from the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, Professor KS. Sidhu, Professor Kamal Kinger, Dr. Umrao Siingh from Punjabi University, Patiala, Dr. Mathew Joseph from Jamia Milia Islamia University, New Delhi, Dr J M Moosa from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Dr. Naseema Akther from University of Kashmir and Dr Jaskaran Singh, Head Department of National Security Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh and Prof. M Tajuddin, HOD Political Science, University of Jammu presented papers on various sub-themes of the National Seminar on the Changing Dynamics of India’s Foreign Policy.

JAMMU, Mar 16: Against the backdrop of reports that Pakistan is all set to make Gilgit, Baltistan its province, Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh today said that “both the regions and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) are and will remain integral parts of India.”
On Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti pitching for revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, he said, “Consideration can be given to the areas having peace and calm.” “AFSPA withdrawal can be thought, only if peace prevails, he